Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-09

The Increase OF Rates and the Question
of Rates Discussed.
Mr.. BOND REPLIES TO Mr.. CRANE-MR. ". O. DODGE
GIVES HIS OPINION AS TO THE wAsTE-A CORRECTION
BY Mr. CRANE.

VI nAateS DtSCuSSe0s
Mr. BOND REPLIES TO Mr.. CRANE-MR. ". q. DODGE
GIVES HIS OPINION As TO THE wAsTE-A CORRECTION
By Mr. CRANE
To the Editor of THE EVENING STAR:
Two weeks ago, as chairman OF the committee
on water and sewers Of Citizens Association No.
S, In order to "break the fee" as said and with
out pretending to treat fully the various questions
| connected with the subject, made report, con-
sistng mainly OF an outline sketch OF the legSla-
ton, and work done In pursuance thereof to
which we owe the water-works of our city as they
now exist, and the rational though deferred hope
of an increased supply from the work now in prog
resa In closing that report one special question
was considered. namely, the proposed increase OF
the water rents, which had been referred to the
committee by resolution OF the association. In
the receipts and disbursements Of the
water department for various years. and the
Ird9 sh tn upon It's revenues 6y Congress
the committee to allude to a communication from
MT. ]. n. Crane In The STAR OF a few evenings
ending June So 1880, the receipts from water
rents amounted to 1855 6s3.37. while for the year
June 80 ass they to only
would unhesitatingly have stated so, but an ex-
animation OF the very report OF Mr.. Cox which
cited Mr. Cox states that $2 900 OF those receipts
had been refunded He also, in the same report,
gives the number OF water-takers at that time as
1880, and ADDS: "BaS1ng the amount of rent at
the new rates will give water rents amounting to
10,005.15." This showed to any one In search OF
the truth that the water rents for the year ending
June 80, 1880, could not and did not, amount to
the sum stated by Mr. Crane. took the further
trouble to examine the books slowed away down
during the year ending June 80, $780, the attempt
had been made to change the time OF collecting
water rents from January to July, and also to col
lect according to an increased schedule. Thus, in
July, 1873, six months water rents were collected
and In January, 1880, they were collected, or at
tempted to be collected, for twelve months. max
ing eighteen months rents collected. attempted
to be so, during the fiscal year ending June 30,
1880 AS stated In my report, the court. in test
case, decided that such collection Illegal, and
In consequence, as stated by Mr.. Cox, 1872 900 was
refunded. Was not correct In stating, as quoted
and reiterated by Mr.. Crane, that this attempt to
change the time OF collection .'threw the State
ment OF receipts by fiscal years somewhat out OF
Dalance7 1t Is an old adage that Figures will not
Lie, but they can be made to do so by very little
help.
only a few extracts from my report, made by
the reporters while 1t was lying on the table the
evening 1t was made, were published, and yet Mr..
Crane assumes that 1t only contained what ap-
peared In the papers, and asks why 1t did not con-
question OF increasing the water tax" &C., while
did say, In my report, that "the laying OF dis
tributing mains is amply provided for by the
lots" and argued that the act OF Congress OF July
15, 1882, trebed the water debt, and that subse-
Quent legislation had unJustly as 1t seemed to me-
burdened the water fund with the interest and the
liquidation OF the principal OF this trebed debt in
tWenty-1ye years, and making It mandatory upon
during the next fiscal year, sse,e57.27
for interest and sinking fund, and to
make the water rents equal to this payment
must provide for. am as averSe to the increase
OF water rents as any one can be- but, II they must
be increased, wish the responsibility to be fixed
where 1t belongs, and the efforts of our Citizens
Association to remedy the evil to be exerted where
they will tend to accomplish the desired result,
II fr1a N hot
might be useful to the committee of one hundred
in this direction, but did not assume to know
everything, OF hand, and If had done so could
not compress it within the limits OF a single and
that preliminary report.
In Mr.. Cranes communication to THE EVENING
speak by authority, states that the total number
OF water-services up to the end of the fiscal year
1885 SO, were 25, SO, and in his "reply to Capt
Bond gives the number Of water-takers June 80
1885, %, 522, !" and then bases series OF cacu-
takers. This may be sufficiently accurate for his
purposes, but Mr.. Crane should know that there is
difference between the number OF Udter-serrices
ity" was the printed report of the officers In charge
OF the water department., to which Others In
search 5. Of Information, have equal access with
aS laid opposite each Inc lot 'uT %hene aaa
excess OF the number OF water-takers. and In
my report estimated the number OF water-takers
at about % 900. not having the means of know
ing the exact number, having scarcely any ac-
quaintance with the officers OF Tine water depart
ment, for whom and the committee OF one hundred
Mr.. c. asserts that am acting in the "dual ca
pacity OF attorney" For one apt In figures Mr. c.
should not have stumbled into the error Of con-
founding water-serviceS with water-takers, and
trust he will correct himself in this and other re-
spects before he discusses the matter with "the
President"
Not being an Official, but private citizen, with
my own business demanding my attention, 1 am
lnQlSpOSeQ personal controversy in the
papers, but have come to think this is Mr..
Cranes natural element ] have never had the
slightest personal difference or alteration with
the gentleman, and only his uncalled-fOr
and reiterated illusions, with slurS and tnsinua-
lions, to myself could provoke me to reply.
With his industry and zeal he might work out
good results were his facts and figures not SO
aine and impotent, as to recall the old catch, or
round
my dame has . tame, lame Crane,
My dame has Crane that is lame
y! pray. gentle Jane, let DANES tame lame Crane
Drink and come home again"
8. r. BOND.